10 Best Photos From #THEROOLIFE In The Last Month!

1. 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible - Netflix Nirmal Purja has to be the most inspiring mountain climber to rush onto the outdoor scene in recent years. In his film, 14 Peaks, he attempts to conquer the impossible task of summiting the world’s tallest 14 peaks. And even if you have no ambition of summiting a mountain any time soon, Purja’s enthusiasm, generosity, and kind spirit is an inspiration for all of us. 2. Torn - Disney+ Talk about an emotional roller coaster. Max Lowe takes a deep dive into his family to further examine how they dealt with the death of their superhero, mountain climbing father. Strap in for this one, and bring a box of tissues to the couch with you—you may need ‘em. 3. Liv Along the Way - Youtube (free) From 2017, this film accompanies Liv Sansoz as she sets out from her base in Chamonix, France to attempt to climb all 82 4,000 -meter peaks in the European Alps in a single year. As with all high-alpine climbing, she hits a few bumps in the road and then some. 4. The Alpinist - Netflix Similar to Alex Honnold’s Free Solo, Marc-André Leclerc rose to legendary status climbing insane routes without protection. Unlike Honnold, however, Leclerc runs under the radar and out of the spotlight. The feats Leclerc pulls off are mind bending, and The Alpinist is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. 5. Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey - Amazon Prime Video You won’t find a more interesting character on this list than Fred Beckey—the original dirtbag climber. Beckey began climbing as a child and achieved hundreds of first ascents of some of the most classic climbs in North America. Dirtbag is the first view into Beckey’s wild life of adventures, full of hilarious stories from friends and a deep dive into some of his most incredible accomplishments. 6. The Ghost - Vimeo (free)  If you want to get jacked up on thru hiking, check out this awesome short film from Gossamer Gear. The Ghost follows thru hiker Heather Anderson who Gossamer Gear isn’t shy about praising, saying she “may be the greatest hiker to ever walk the earth.” And for good reason. Stream The Ghost for free to learn more about Anderson’s journey of world record breaking hiking. 7. Break On Through - Redbull TV (free) Another freebie! And lucky you, because it’s an exceptional film from a previous Reel Rock. Follow along as American climber Margo Hayes attempts to overcome two of the most revered climbs in the world – La Rambla in Spain and Biographie in France. Hayes is an absolute crusher—watch her attempt to make history.    Learn more about making the most of National Camp at Home Day here.

Last year, with everyone self quarantining across the country and all of our favorite parks closed, we kicked off National Camp at Home Day. We loved seeing the creativity you brought to your at-home campsite, and we couldn’t wait to bring the fun back. This year for National Camp at Home Day, as your favorite camping spots slowly begin to reopen and people are starting to travel safely again, we’re focusing on preparedness. Think of National Camp at Home Day as the perfect occasion to pull out all the gear and have a trial run before setting out on the next big adventure. Over the coming weeks, we’re going to lay it out for you: how to choose the right shelter, tips for gear prepping, perfect recipes for the Dutch oven, and everything in between. So hang the hammock, grab some fresh batteries for the headlamp, and settle in: the adventure starts here. If you’ve never been camping before, even the thought of walking into an REI can feel intimidating. With so much jargon tossed around and gear to research, the knowledge needed to make an overnight trip successful can seem overwhelming. It shouldn’t feel this way. Let’s get back to the basics, starting with styles of camping. Basecamp or Backcountry? You can think of Basecamp as the drive-in spot at your favorite national or state park. You’ll usually have the ability to bring more of the comforts of home, like comfy camp furniture and a broader kitchen setup, and you’ll still have access to the beauty of a place like Big Bend or Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you’re new to camping, this can be an easy introduction into the world of overnights. We recommend considering what your future goals are, and if backcountry camping is something you want to work towards, think about buying gear that can be used for both applications. No matter how you want to kick things off, there’s nothing wrong with starting small and working out the kinks. Basecamp can have awesome benefits like proximity to water and electricity while still being close to beautiful trails worth exploring. Backcountry, on the other hand, means you’ll be packing everything in on your shoulders, so a lot more attention must be paid to the weight of your kit. There are exceptions as well, like bikepacking and river trips, but for now we’re going to stick with these two basic categories. Backcountry camping can seem like another beast entirely, but with practice, it doesn’t have to be. There won’t be room in your pack for luxury items you might take to Basecamp, but the tradeoff is you can find yourself in remote places with spectacular views. Not to mention, the crowds disperse as you get further away from park headquarters. Backcountry camping allows you to cover ground efficiently and do things you may not be able to otherwise, like making a long, multi-day trek or waking up to an epic sunrise in the Tetons.  What shelter is right for you? No matter where you plan to lay your head in the woods, you’re going to have to choose a shelter. Each shelter has its advantages, and you’re going to have to weigh the pros and cons and decide what’s right for you and for the environment you’re camping in. First up: Tent camping. If you’re imagining yourself camping, this is probably what comes to mind. Tents offer considerable protection from the elements, are fairly easy to set up, and work virtually everywhere. Some drawbacks to consider are longer setup and teardown times, added weight in your pack in some cases, and their susceptibility to getting dirty inside or wet from condensation. Also keep in mind that finding the perfect tent site in the backcountry, or even while car camping for that matter, isn’t always so simple. You’ll often end up with a rock in your back or on an annoying slope that sends you sliding to one side of the tent all night. Still, it’s hard to beat the dependability of a faithful tent. Next: Hammock camping. No more long setups before sitting down to enjoy a meal, and you can forget about that rock in your back as well. With the addition of rainflies, bug nets, and plenty of insulation, you’ll feel right at home in virtually any conditions. A huge bonus is the level of comfort you’ll enjoy while sleeping in a hammock—the days of crawling out of your sleeping bag with a stiff back are over! There are downsides to consider, the most obvious being the question of where to hang your hammock. Camping in the desert is likely not an option, and although it’s rare, some parks ban the use of hammocks altogether. It’s always best to check for regulations before making any decisions about how you’ll utilize a park. Bottomline, with the right amount of trees, hammock camping is a solid option. For our grand finale: Cowboy camping. Everyone’s dreamed of sleeping under the stars, and with modern sleeping pads and camp quilts, you’ll sleep more comfortably than John Wayne ever thought possible. A key advantage comes into play after a long day on the trail when all you want to do is crawl inside your sleeping bag. Cowboy camping makes setting up camp as simple as possible so you can focus on the fun parts, like stuffing your face with granola bars and hiking until your heels bleed. Another huge plus as more and more of us move into light-polluted cities is the view of the stars without a rainfly or bugnet overhead. Drifting off to sleep with unmatched views of the Milky Way is an experience that’s truly hard to beat. Before we romanticize this too much, consider that cowboy camping leaves you exposed to the elements—bad weather and critters alike. The last thing you want to face in the middle of a deep sleep is a rain-soaked or scorpion-infested sleeping bag. Still, when implemented in appropriate conditions, cowboy camping can be the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors. If you’re still trying to decide what shelter is right for you, or even if you’re a longtime camper curious about a new setup, National Camp at Home Day is the perfect opportunity for a trial run. In the field, you want to be as familiar as possible with your gear to make setting up camp a breeze. Practice pitching camp at home so when the weather turns south and the wind and rains come, you’re able to get out of the elements and into your warm sleeping bag as quickly as possible. To learn more about hammock camping, check out these two blogs:  Four reasons to make Mantis your go-to sleep system Hammock Camping 101  

Kammok measured and offset its 2020 carbon footprint and is working to reduce future emissions AUSTIN, TEXAS (April 22, 2021) – In response to the urgency of the climate crisis, Kammok, designer of high-performance outdoor gear to elevate time outside, is proud to announce that it is officially Climate Neutral Certified. Kammok joins 229 other brands that have earned the standard by measuring and offsetting all of their 2020 carbon emissions and reducing future emissions. Climate Neutral Certified is the leading consumer label designating carbon neutrality. It is carried by brands that have voluntarily stepped up to take responsibility for the greenhouse gas emissions generated in the production, operations, and shipping of their goods and services. “Our brand promise is that we create and deliver Adventure Grade. Better Made™ products," says Kammok CEO and Founder, Greg McEvilly. "We believe better made products contribute to more human flourishing, and this is why we are excited to go Climate Neutral. We measured and offset our entire 2020 carbon footprint, and are working to reduce our future emissions. We emitted approximately 7,033 tonnes of carbon, and then offset those emissions by investing in climate change solutions, including renewable wind energy farms and rainforest conservation. Now we're working to reduce our future emissions by minimizing shipping inefficiencies by 25% in 2022, and incorporating more Bluesign approved fabrics and recycled materials into our finished products.” “Kammok and our other Climate Neutral Certified brands are leading the global shift to a net-zero economy by doing what all companies should be doing immediately: measuring, offsetting, and reducing their carbon emissions,” says Climate Neutral CEO, Austin Whitman. “Our label helps consumers identify these brands. It’s a recognizable and trusted symbol that turns everyday purchases into meaningfully positive climate action.” Climate Neutral’s certification is based on internationally recognized standards for carbon measurement, neutrality, and offsetting. Each brand must measure Scope 1, 2, and 3 cradle-to-customer greenhouse gas emissions for the prior calendar year. Then a brand must buy verified carbon credits to offset its entire footprint. This directs investment into critical carbon sequestration projects such as forest conservation, renewable energy, and carbon capture technologies. Finally, brands commit to a reduction action plan to cut future emissions within a 12-24 month timeline, reporting progress on those plans annually. All of the brand’s data is publicly available on Climate Neutral’s website. The process is repeated annually when companies must re-certify. Learn more about Climate Neutral and browse all of the certified brands at climateneutral.org.     ABOUT CLIMATE NEUTRAL Climate Neutral is a nonprofit organization working with brands and consumers to decrease global greenhouse gas emissions. The label, Climate Neutral Certified, is the universal standard in carbon neutrality. It is earned by brands who measure, offset, and reduce their entire carbon footprint, making it easy for consumers to shop with concern for the global climate. To learn more, visit climateneutral.org. ABOUT KAMMOK Kammok designs adventure grade, better made outdoor gear to elevate time outside. From camping hammocks to tents, and weatherproof shelters to versatile trail quilts, Kammok gear allows you to pack less and go further with stronger, lighter fabrics and best-in-class construction. Each Kammok product is backed by our lifetime guarantee. Kammok is a member of 1% For The Planet, a Certified B Corp business, and a Climate Neutral Certified Brand. For more information on Kammok, visit kammok.mom

The past few weeks have been filled with discussion, both internally as a company and as nine individuals in pursuit of social justice. At Kammok, we exist to promote human flourishing through adventure outside, but people cannot flourish when racism is putting lives in danger every day. We believe community is transformative to create lasting change, and we all need to address the racial divide in this country. We champion love as our chief core value, and staying silent about systematic injustice is not loving. As an ally to the Black community, people of color, and underrepresented voices in the outdoors, we are committed to fighting for justice, and to acting on what is right. Immediately, we are donating to nonprofits, matching employee donations up to $2K to organizations fighting against injustice, inequality, and racism. This isn’t a one-time donation. As part of our ongoing commitment to give 1% of revenue to social and environmental initiatives, we are identifying organizations that build inclusivity and equity in the outdoors so that Kammok can invest and enable them long-term. We've supported Explore Austin since 2017 to empower youth through outdoor mentorship, and we will continue to support as we expand our scope for giving. We have a platform, and eyes and ears from a receptive community that shares our mission to elevate time outside for all people. We ask our kammok.mommunity to reflect on the impacts you can make. These are our first of many steps to hold us accountable for the change we wish to see. It's on us to work towards change together.   Greg McEvilly CEO/Founder and Team Kammok